Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolI am writing to you this week from the IBSC Conference in Boston, MA. The IBSC (International Boys’ Schools Coalition) is a global network that connects educators from boys’ schools to share ideas, research, and best practice. We’re fortunate to have staff both presenting and attending this year’s conference to represent BGS.
After 31 years of dedicated service, Maggie Lynch OAM retires from BGS at the end of this term. Maggie joined the staff of BGS as an ESL teacher in 1994 and she has been a tireless advocate for our international boys and families ever since, most recently as Coordinator of the International Parents’ Support Group.
Maggie’s association with BGS pre-dates 1994, as parent of Simon (OB 1993), Adrian (OB 1994) and Andrew (OB 2007). I wish Maggie and her husband Frank (also OAM) a long and happy retirement but expect to see her around our community as an ISPG volunteer.
I appreciate parent support for our mobile phone initiative, the Harmony Project, which begins in Term 3. I encourage you to speak with your son over the break regarding the practicalities of this new approach to ensure we have a successful start to the term.
I hope you and your family have the opportunity for some downtime over the holiday break and I look forward to welcoming the boys back to school on Wednesday 23 July.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolReflecting on Term 2, I am immensely grateful for what we have been able to achieve together and want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude.
Our winter sports program continues to thrive, with strong performances across the board. Our golfers won the National Championships and at the Firsts level, both our Rugby and Soccer teams are currently sitting in first place, while our AFL team is close behind, having lost only one game – an exceptional effort from all involved.
Our Performing Arts program continued to shine. The production of High School Musical was a highlight, and the Music department excelled throughout the term – particularly at our concerts, the Generations in Jazz Festival, and the unforgettable House Choral competition. A special mention goes to our Secondary School Chamber Ensemble, who recently took out first place in their String Quartet division at the Boroondara Eisteddfod. Of course, we also celebrated the musical talents of every single Secondary School student through the House Choral competition.
Best of luck to all students and staff heading off on school tours over the break, including the UK Cricket Tour and the Year 10 Tiwi Immersion Experience. We look forward to hearing about your adventures when you return.
Lastly, thank you to all parents for your ongoing support and for partnering with us in every aspect of your sons’ education. I hope you enjoy a restful and refreshing break with them.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Term dates – Term 2 concludes on Friday 27 June and Term 3 commences on Wednesday 23 July
Student Success
- Congratulations to Leo Reeve (Year 11) on winning the Under 20 Para Race at the All-Schools Cross Country State Championships on Saturday. This outstanding achievement has earned Leo a place in the Victorian Cross Country Squad.
- Congratulations to Nigel Gong (Year 9) who earned a bronze medal in the Nation Opens – Men’s Foil category at the Australian Fencing Championships held in Melbourne recently, an incredible achievement.
Lower Strings Soirée
The inaugural Lower Strings Soirée was a special event dedicated to celebrating the incredible talents of our Cello and Double Bass soloists from both the Junior and Secondary Schools.
Junior School performers included Oskar Toner, Ryan Cao, Oliver Zhu, Aden Zhang, Arthur Wang, Linc Caspar, Eason Dong, Jack Moncrieff, and Ryan Qiu. Secondary School performers were Tobias Knaack, Krix Xu, Lenny Lui, and Joey Williams.
From the heartfelt performances of our youngest musicians to the polished artistry of our older students, the evening was a beautiful celebration of the depth, warmth, and versatility of the Lower Strings family.
Congratulations to all our performers for their dedication and courage in taking the stage and thank you to our music staff and families for your ongoing support in nurturing the next generation of string musicians.
Harry Tsai
Head of Strings
Dance Showcase
That’s a wrap on our Term 2 Dance Showcase.
It was fantastic to see such a great crowd in attendance to support our dancers. The boys brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to every routine, and it was a brilliant way to cap off the term.
Savouring Success
Year 11 VCE French students celebrated the end of their Unit 1 study of French by making crepes in the BHIVE Grill’d kitchen, a fitting and delicious way to build on their knowledge of the language and culinary culture of France.
Save the Date
Set a reminder for 28 July when tickets go on sale for the always incredible Pink Dinner! It’s a fun night for the women of our BGS community to connect, share some laughs, and this year, support the Leukaemia Foundation. Book a table of 12 or individual tickets (we’ll aim to seat you with your preferred Year level). Gather the girls and get ready for a great night! Booking link will be shared early next term.
From Reverend Waterhouse
It is obviously difficult to turn on the news or read the newspaper at present and avoid seeing and hearing reports about various global tensions between nations and peoples. We are somewhat sheltered in Australia as an island nation, yet some of us would also have family or close friends who have been affected by events overseas.
Jesus himself was born into the time of the Roman Empire and knew of the reality of both a fallen world and war. In Matthew’s gospel, when speaking about the age at hand, he remarked that, ‘You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nations, and kingdom against kingdom.’ [24:6-7].
About 700 years before the birth of Christ, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah foresaw a time when God himself ‘will judge between the nations and settle disputes for many peoples … nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.’ [2:4].
In the Christian calendar, we are now in the season called Ordinary Time (based on the concept of ordinals), which counts down the Sundays until the beginning of Advent later in the year. Advent, of course, anticipates the celebration of Christmas and the birth of the Messiah.
Who is this Messiah? God himself! The Prince of Peace.
So as we grieve the fact of war, we also delight in the hope of a promised peace.